COVID-19 updates at our Airports
 

 Latest News

Travel Regulations

For the latest South African travel regulations, please visit the South African Government website

Please note:

·        Airports are open and operating

·        Domestic flights are still operating

·        Passengers will require a PCR test depending on the destination, even when fully vaccinated. Please check with your airline to ensure that the regulations are adhered to.

·        There are testing facilities at O.R. Tambo International, Cape Town International and King Shaka International Airports

O.R. Tambo International Airport:

NHLS: 011 921 2887; 011 390 3006; 072 415 4635

Dischem: 011 390 3192

Navomix: 087 164 1203 WhatsApp: 072 571 6836

Bonvoyage Junxion Pharmacies: 011 390 1081

E-mail: ortiacovid-19@navomixhealth.co.za


Cape Town International Airport:

Navomix: 021 001 2866

cpt@navomixhealth.co.za

Dischem: 021 934 5217

King Shaka International Airport:

Navomix: ksiacovid-19@navomixhealth.co.za

WhatsApp: 072 571 6836
 

Embassy contact details:

Dirco

Embassies and Consulates


  Frequently asked questions


1. Which airports are operating?​
  • ​O.R. Tambo International Airport
  • Cape Town International Airport
  • King Shaka International Airport
  • Bram Fischer International Airport
  • East London Airport
  • George Airport
  • Kimberley Airport
  • Port Elizabeth International Airport
  • ​Upington International Airport

​2. How will you ensure that wheelchairs are sanitised knowing that many people will be touching them?
Wheelchairs will be sanitised after every use.

3. Will Passenger Aid Unit assistance be wearing Personal Protective Equipment’s when assisting passengers?
All staff members will wear Personal Protective Equipment when assisting passengers.

4. How will the airlines ensure that seats are deep cleaned after every flight?
Please kindly refer to your respective airline for more information on sanitation and hygiene within the aircraft.

5. Are IDs and driver’s licenses safe from contamination considering the number of people touching them at the airport?
Passengers are encouraged to use online check-in to minimise touching of personal identity documents. Security will also request that passengers scan their boarding cards.

6. Will baggage handlers wear full Personal Protective Equipment because they could pass the virus from one bag to another?
All baggage handlers will wear full Personal Protective Equipment when assisting passengers and handling baggage.

7. How safe is luggage from contamination during loading and offloading?
Airports Company South Africa adheres to the strictest health and safety protocols. All baggage will be fully sanitised and baggage handlers will wear complete Personal Protective Equipment. Bags must be wrapped as an additional safety measure. 

8. Will screening be done on all flights?
Passengers will be screened on international flights.

9. Will the chapel and prayer facilities be open?
To be updated

10. How frequently are high touch areas and bathrooms sanitized?
The bathrooms and high touch areas will be sanitised in accordance with the public health procedure as approved by the South African Civil Aviation Authority.

11. Will trolleys be sanitized and how frequent?
Yes, after every use. As an extra safety precaution, we recommend passengers also sanitize their hands before using a trolley.

​12. What will you do to people who do not observe airport rules?
They will not be permitted in the terminal building or they will be escorted off the premises by airport security.

13. Will there be isolation facilities available for people who show symptoms or who present a temperature of 38 and higher? 
There will be secondary screening and isolation facilities available for those with temperature higher that 38 degrees. 

14. How will social distancing be enforced in airports?
Social distancing signage is up in the terminal building, and Covid-19 monitors will ensure that guidelines are enforced.

15. What are the rules on wearing masks?
Passengers must have a mask to be permitted inside the terminal building. Masks will also be sold at vending machines within the airport building. Please note that children under five are not required to wear face masks. Please note face shields are only acceptable if a face mask that covers the person's mouth and nose is worn underneath the face shield.

16. Where will hand sanitisers be placed at the airports?
Hand sanitisers have been made available at strategic passenger journey touchpoints throughout the terminals. Soap is also provided in all bathroom facilities. Hand sanitizers have been made available throughout the entire terminal building.

17. Can South Africans that are stuck abroad from high-risk countries return home?

Yes, provided that the traveller has tested negative after completing an official COVID-19 test within 72 hours prior to departure, and upon arrival the traveller must present a negative COVID-19 test result not older than 72 hours from the time of departure.

18. Can South Africans travel to high-risk countries?

​South African citizens who wish to travel to high-risk countries must check with the country if their borders are open and requirements of travel. Please note that South African residents who want to travel to high-risk countries should contact the Department of Home Affairs for clarity.

The contact details are as below:

​Facebook: @HomeAffairsZA

Twitter: @HomeAffairsSA

Contact centre: 0800 60 11 90

Email: hacc@dha.gov.za

Website: http://www.dha.gov.za/index.php/ask-us


19. What are the rules inside the aircraft cabin?
Passengers must confirm with the airline directly.

20. What are the rules for passengers?
Passengers must wear a mask to be permitted inside the terminal building. Passengers are asked to ensure they adhere to physical distancing of 1.5meters.

21. What Personal Protective Equipment should staff wear? Do they change the Personal Protective Equipment during a shift?
ACSA has developed a Personal Protective Equipment guideline that is complaint with local legislation as well as WHO guidelines for Ports Of Entry.  We have also done extensive studies on the quality grades of Personal Protective Equipment that best suits our environment.  The guideline prescribes Personal Protective Equipment based on the nature of work as well as the occupational exposure. All staff change their Personal Protective Equipment during the shift (eg. after tea break).  This is because the general assumption is that Personal Protective Equipment will be contaminated and exhibits a high risk to someone that will want to reuse them. ACSA does provide such Personal Protective Equipment to staff at no cost.

22. What training has staff been given on the new procedures?
All staff have been given compulsory Back To Work occupational health and Safety training on COVID-19.

23. What will Airports Company South Africa do if a person who works at the airport becomes infected with Covid-19?
We will activate our Occupational Health and Safety staff response plan. Any staff member who is suspected to be ill will be placed in isolation. The Department of Health will be informed, and the employee will be attended to.

24. Will you close the airport if a frontline employee becomes infected?
We will activate the Occupational Health Safety processes as stipulated by regulations.

​25. How many hours before departure must a passenger be at the airport?
Passengers must be at the airport at least ninety minutes for domestic flights.
International travel: Passengers must be at the airport at least four hours for domestic flights to ensure enough time is allocated for screening and operational procedures.

26.     What have you done to make airports safer? 
Airports Company South Africa has recruited additional staff and implemented strict health compliance protocol, including social distancing, temperature screening all passengers and staff, regular deep cleaning, and surface sanitizing of the airports. We have equipped all staff with the necessary Personal Protective Equipment and sanitizers.

27. If I am screened upon arrival and have an elevated temperature, but I have a negative PCR test, do I still have to go into quarantine?

Yes, travellers who are screened and found to have symptoms of COVID-19 will be required to have another test and be subjected to 10 days mandatory quarantine at a state-appointed facility at their own cost.

28. What happens if the traveller is unable to afford a COVID-19 test or quarantine​?

​Please contact the Department of Health for clarity.

Whatsapp: 0600 123 456
Website: https://www.health.gov.za/contact-us/​

 29. If I have a negative PCR test and screen negative, do I still need to quarantine?

No, if a traveller has a negative PCR test and passes screening, they are free to continue with their travels.

 30. Do travellers have to download the app to enable contact tracing?

 It is encouraged to do so by the South African Government.

31​.  Will there be exit screening on international flights?
Yes, there will be exit screening that takes place.

​Corona Virus in South Africa website (Department of Health)​​
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